Consequences of living with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder:A Qualitative Study

Severe psychological stress is potentially threatening for anyone. Chronic combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder is accompanied by other psychological problems including depression. Thus the aim of this study was to describe the consequences of living with this disorder. In this qualitative study, 20 male veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder were selected purposefully and studied using semi-structured deep interview. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis in 2011. The consequences of living with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder were classified into three main categories of psychological, physical, and social consequences, based on the common experiences of the participants. Psychological consequences include three subcategories of lack of self-confidence, lack of entertainment, and negative emotions. Physical consequences include four subcategories of sleep disorders, sexual dysfunction, physical pain, and restricted physical activity. Social consequences include three subcategories of disrupted interpersonal relations, lack of income or job, and restricted duty fulfillment. The results of this study demonstrated that combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder has had a negative effect on all different aspects of their health including physical, psychological and social. Reducing this problem requires interventions and continuous monitoring of the medical health status of these clients.